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The Journal of Analytical Psychology Feb 2020This paper describes narcissism as our natural, infant-like behaviour, and specifies three characteristics relating to the evacuation and avoidance of distress, to...
This paper describes narcissism as our natural, infant-like behaviour, and specifies three characteristics relating to the evacuation and avoidance of distress, to control, and to distancing from relationship. It suggests that the processes of incarnation and individuation represent the development of the early ego and the 'resolution' of these narcissistic ways of being, including escape from the 'mirror trap'. The development of the early, controlling 'homunculus-ego' entails the loosening and broadening of ego-identifications and the ego becoming subject to the Self. This is an embodied-relational-social-spiritual process outlined in detail by the full 20 woodcuts of the Rosarium Philosophorum, and specifically the lunar (relational) and solar (self-expressive) paths, which are explored herein. These processes are illustrated with respect to the interaction between infant and caregiver, clinical vignettes and examples from the political sphere.
Topics: Ego; Humans; Individuation; Interpersonal Relations; Jungian Theory; Narcissism; Object Attachment; Psychological Distress
PubMed: 31972882
DOI: 10.1111/1468-5922.12568 -
Psychological Reports Dec 1992This paper provides a discussion of the life cycle using a framework constructed from ideas in chaos theory. Building upon psychodynamic ideas from Freud, Jung, and... (Review)
Review
This paper provides a discussion of the life cycle using a framework constructed from ideas in chaos theory. Building upon psychodynamic ideas from Freud, Jung, and Erikson, the integration of the Self is discussed from the viewpoint of Analytical Psychology. It is proposed that throughout our lives we encounter crisis points that fractionate the ego and necessitate use of more complex and adaptive psychic structures to contain or handle the seemingly disparate qualities that arise. We may say that eventually one aspires to realize Analytical Psychology's goal of integrating the superior and the inferior functions of the psyche into a cohesive Self. Jung seemed to state that the Self could never be attained, but it is argued in this paper that a form of transitory self may be realized periodically during the course of the life cycle.
Topics: Ego; Humans; Life Change Events; Models, Psychological; Physical Phenomena; Physics; Psychological Theory
PubMed: 1480684
DOI: 10.2466/pr0.1992.71.3f.1043 -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Oct 2003Scientific psychology and neuroscience are taking increasingly precise and comprehensive pictures of the human mind, both in its physical architecture and its functional...
Scientific psychology and neuroscience are taking increasingly precise and comprehensive pictures of the human mind, both in its physical architecture and its functional processes. Meanwhile, each human mind has an abbreviated view of itself, a self-portrait that captures how it thinks it operates, and that therefore has been remarkably influential. The mind's self-portrait has as a central feature the idea that thoughts cause actions, and that the self is thus an origin of the body's actions. This self-portrait is reached through a process of inference of apparent mental causation, and it gives rise to the experience that we are consciously willing what we do. Evidence from several sources suggests that this self-portrait may often be a humble and misleading caricature of the mind's operation-but one that underlies the feeling of authorship and the acceptance of responsibility for action.
Topics: Ego; Humans; Mental Processes; Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; Self Concept
PubMed: 14625362
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1279.011 -
Journal of the American Psychoanalytic... Feb 2021One of the most important concepts developed by D. W. Winnicott was his idea of the false self. In the course of his work, he was often preoccupied with the need to...
One of the most important concepts developed by D. W. Winnicott was his idea of the false self. In the course of his work, he was often preoccupied with the need to maintain a sense of psychological vitality, which could be threatened in various ways. Threats occur throughout the life cycle as parents, siblings, friends, teachers, and other people impact the individual and contribute to the creation of the inner world of fantasy, which is also self-generated. These elements can work together or separately to undermine one's sense of vitality by the pressure to comply with a variety of demands, which can give rise to a false self. Winnicott's principal method of exploring this issue was through his clinical work, which was informed by personal struggles instrumental in shaping his thinking about the concept.
Topics: Ego; Fantasy; Humans; Male; Psychoanalytic Theory
PubMed: 33845629
DOI: 10.1177/00030651211001461 -
The Journal of Analytical Psychology Jan 1997This paper develops a theoretical and clinical approach to the self which is non-essentialist and post-modern. Briefly, it offers a framework for theorizing Self based...
This paper develops a theoretical and clinical approach to the self which is non-essentialist and post-modern. Briefly, it offers a framework for theorizing Self based on hermeneutics and psychological constructivism. It then develops a critique of the essentialist Jungian theory of Self in which the Self is frequently described as a human subject with views, intentions and desires of its own. With this as background, a post-modern Jungian framework for Self is advanced, with a brief clinical account of the self in analysis.
Topics: Ego; Humans; Individuation; Jungian Theory; Psychoanalysis
PubMed: 9062088
DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-5922.1997.00157.x -
American Journal of Psychoanalysis Mar 2020This paper examines the paradox of Selfless-Self-Transcendence, that is, how the self is enriched through self-renunciation. The article discusses...
This paper examines the paradox of Selfless-Self-Transcendence, that is, how the self is enriched through self-renunciation. The article discusses what enables being carried away without forethought into selfless-self-transcendence and how, eventually, these inadvertent surrenders create therapeutic shifts. Using clinical vignettes, we suggest that the selfless move towards patients is part of a latent mutual process, with them, and it enables the restoration of the self to an enriched form. These depictions imply that like the patients, the analysts also encounter themselves in a truer way which allows them to become who they really are, through selflessly transcending themselves.
Topics: Adult; Ego; Humans; Professional-Patient Relations; Psychoanalytic Therapy; Psychotherapeutic Processes
PubMed: 32086440
DOI: 10.1057/s11231-020-09229-z -
Consciousness and Cognition Sep 2007
Topics: Body Image; Consciousness; Ego; Humans; Perceptual Distortion; Self Concept
PubMed: 17716918
DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2007.06.011 -
Tijdschrift Voor Psychiatrie 2012
Topics: Ego; Humans; Personality Disorders; Psychoanalysis
PubMed: 23074028
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Oct 2021Awe is a self-transcendent emotion that exerts a powerful impact on the self. Through diminishing the ego, awe may help cultivate interconnection, wisdom, meaning, and...
Awe is a self-transcendent emotion that exerts a powerful impact on the self. Through diminishing the ego, awe may help cultivate interconnection, wisdom, meaning, and purpose.
Topics: Ego; Emotions; Humans; Self Concept
PubMed: 33547655
DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14577 -
The Australian and New Zealand Journal... Dec 1987This paper briefly describes some principles of a self-psychology, this term being used in a broad sense. As a heuristic device, the theme of evolution of self is woven... (Review)
Review
This paper briefly describes some principles of a self-psychology, this term being used in a broad sense. As a heuristic device, the theme of evolution of self is woven about the formation of its boundary. Boundary formation is seen to be fostered by therapeutic responses that 'match' inner states. This notion is linked to other means of enhancing a sense of 'innerness'. They include a respect for the distinction between the realms of public and private, a potentiation of the 'ownership' of experience and the use of certain forms of language. Through a consideration of the concept of 'the secret', self-psychology is contrasted with the traditional or ego psychologies. What emerges is a therapeutic approach to personality disorder that resembles important aspects of the work of Kohut and Winnicott, the major contributors to this developing body of theory.
Topics: Ego; Humans; Personality Development; Psychoanalytic Therapy
PubMed: 3329514
DOI: 10.3109/00048678709158923